Simon Jordan complains about West Brom fan appearance on BBC’s Football Focus
Simon Jordan has complained about West Brom fan Richie Anderson’s appearance on BBC One’s Football Focus in the ‘Football and Me’ segment.
The broadcaster and presenter appeared on the BBC football show on Saturday, 24 September and discussed his relationship with the Baggies and the acceptance he has felt from the Baggies as a member of the LGBT community.
While the segment was widely praised for shining a light on the inclusivity at The Hawthorns, talkSPORT host Jordan has slammed the segment, questioning why it is a “necessity” to discuss people’s sexuality on a football programme.
Writing in the print edition of the Daily Mail (7 March, page 77) he said: “I did something on Saturday that I haven’t done for some time – I watched Football Focus and quickly wished I hadn’t.
“Football Focus is a legacy TV show but this was pedestrian, vacuous, uninspiring and uninformative. I grew up with Football Focus, informing myself about the state of the game and listening to Bob Wilson, Ray Stubbs and Mark Lawrenson who had kudos and cachet.
“And yet I sat there last weekend and thought ‘What am I watching here?’ Why is it seemingly so vital to select a fan – in this instance, a gay West Bromwich Albion supporter – based solely on his sexuality to talk about his club?
“When did it become a necessity to be discussing people’s sexuality on a 12 o’clock family football show and what value do the viewers get from that insight?”
Simon Jordan slams West Brom supporter for Hawthorns broadcast
It is an incredibly ridiculous and outdated view to suggest that a football programme shouldn’t be willing to discuss a person’s sexuality, especially around the sport itself as it was in Football Focus’ latest segment.
When the Football and Me segment surrounded former boxer Tony Bellew and his love for Everton, Jordan remained tight-lipped and didn’t pass a single comment over it being unnecessary or “uninspiring”.
That view demonstrates just why it is so important that people like Anderson shine a light on this aspect of being a football supporter as there is still an undercurrent of prejudice and homophobia across the game.
Hopefully, West Brom will continue to receive praise for their inclusivity and their work to make The Hawthorns a safe space for everyone, while also continuing to thrive on the playing field under Carlos Corberan’s management.
In other West Brom news, Mikey Johnston has heaped praise on Baggies manager Corberan in a new Celtic transfer admission
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